Ethel attended a fashionable school costing her father more money than he could afford, but she met there the very best class of girls and really formed for herself the most desirable acquaintances.  Her mother scrimped and saved in every way possible, while the guests who came to the old-fashioned house with its handsome antique furniture and portraits were wont to declare that “the Hollisters were certainty aristocratic and of blue blood, as their house showed it—­so severe and yet elegant.”  So Mrs. Archie felt that the Hollister name alone should procure for Ethel a monied husband, and she held it constantly before the girl.  She must associate only with those in the “upper circle,” and marry a man who could give her a “fine establishment.”

Among Ethel’s school friends was a girl—­Nannie Bigelow by name—­of whom she was very fond.  Nannie had a brother in Yale whom she (Ethel) disliked.  He was a member of the ultra fashionable set and was desirous of making a wealthy match, as his family as well had little but their name.  One of his sisters had married a titled man and lived abroad.  It was Mrs. Hollister’s ambition to have Ethel like Harvey Bigelow, although she knew that he had as little money as she.  She tried to adjust things satisfactorily, and being a clever woman she hit upon a plan which we shall reveal later.  Of course, the girl was only sixteen and must first graduate.  Ethel, who had imbibed many of her mother’s fallacies, did not openly rebel.  She was quite a little snob in her way, nor did she realize what the family daily sacrificed for her, although her heart smote her when she saw how her father was aging, for she adored him; nor were her eyes opened until after she had joined the Camp Fire.

Grandmother Hollister had two sons, John and Archie.  Kate Hollister was the daughter of the former.  They lived in Columbus, Ohio, and Kate had been invited to visit her New York relatives.  She was a tall, handsome girl much older than Ethel, for she was over thirty.  Kate was the Guardian of a company of eight Camp Fire Girls called the “Ohio.”  She had told her grandmother and Ethel all about the new movement one evening, and Ethel who loved the romantic side of camping out was crazy to have Kate obtain permission from her mother to let her join, as her father had said that she might visit Columbus that coming summer.  But lo! when she spoke to Mrs. Archie—­or Aunt Bella—­about it she was politely snubbed.  When Kate tried to explain how wonderful was the organization and what benefit a girl—­especially a delicate girl like Ethel—­could derive from belonging, the lady sneered and likened it to the Salvation Army and forbade her guest from mentioning it to the girl or even speaking of it in her presence.  But alas! the deed had been done and Ethel knew of it; but while in New York Kate had refrained from again touching on the subject.  At that time an aunt of one of Ethel’s schoolmates had formed a company and many of the swell set had joined.  Ethel longed to belong but dared not offend her mother.